By JAN MAAS, Beltrami County Master Gardener
The Beltrami County Master Gardeners are sponsoring a garden tour June 23. This year’s tour includes five gardens, each has its own special charms and highlights. The tour starts at 10 a.m. and goes until 2 p.m. and the gardens can be visited in any order at your leisure. Each garden will spotlight something different to entice you to visit and stay awhile.
The gardens of Kristi and Tom Riese are a “work in progress,” as they like to put it. They have gardened at their home for 30 years. Since they live on a lake they have tried to maximize planting areas by utilizing the lay of the land and to prevent erosion of the lake shore. They primarily have perennial beds and borders. Early summer blooms are featured. As a special treat, Sherry Corson, local herb specialist, will be available to share information on herb gardening in containers.
Jim and Nikki Hess have a backyard garden that features a pond with two flowing waterways. Paths and bridges allow close access to the water and pond fish. The waterways are surrounded by hostas, sedum, peonies and lilies. This quiet in-town garden offers a great deal of privacy. Be sure to allow time for a quiet respite and enjoy provided refreshments while you relax.
The Bemidji State University Native Landscape gardens are located right on the campus. They are maintained by the Sustainability Office at the university. Native plantings are utilized and have replaced turf grass and annual flowers. There is always something in bloom from early spring until fall. The butterfly garden buzzes with life in summer. Dylan Sievers from the Sustainability Office will present an intro to the campus garden at 1 p.m.
Stroll through the intimate green spaces that Cindy Lueth has created using native Minnesota plants. Learn about the many different species of plants growing in three different gardens including a woodland, sun prairie, and a wetland garden. This is a natural landscape within the city. Take time to check to see if you won a door prize at this garden!
Julie and Paul Burnham have a lovely shade garden with paver walkways that beckon you to pay a visit. The walkways connect the deck to Julie’s craft cottage. There is a circular patio and a two-tiered pond. A large variety of shade perennials soften the hardscape and add texture and color. Nature’s Edge Garden Center will be on hand at this garden to share information on ponds and pond plants.
Tickets for the garden tour are only $10 and can be purchase at the Tea & Gift Shoppe located at 514 Beltrami Ave. NW in downtown Bemidji or at Nature’s Edge Garden Center located on Highway 71 just south of Bemidji. Tickets are limited so purchase them early. The tour will be held rain or shine. Set aside the date, put on a comfortable pair of walking shoes, grab your sunscreen (or umbrella!!) and join us for the 2012 garden tour.
